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THE HON. THOMAS J. MANTON, CHAIRMAN 

 PAGE THREE 



national economy. Moreover, the school and medium fishery long 

 engaged in by this region provides a food source and great 

 recreational opportunity for thousands of fishermen. Likewise, 

 maximum sustainable yield in these fisheries must be considered 

 in the context of the social and economic impact of closures and 

 undue restrictions on this regional industry. More equitable and 

 structured allocations and administration of bluefin allotments 

 would result in a greater viability for this region's depressed 

 fishery. 



Basing management measures on the best scientific 

 information available, pursuant to standard 2, implies that the 

 NMFS should utilitize more information available through the 

 various user groups in compiling their data base. By long 

 ignoring the voluminous data offered by user groups, with a 

 collective millenia of marine experience, NMFS scientists have 

 been able to effectively alienate every major user group while 

 undermining any confidence in their data base and conclusions. 

 Likewise, data supplied by the New Jersey Division is 

 inadequately considered because it does not conform with NMFS 

 practice. The discretion on the part of NMFS scientists, long 

 exercised so as to preclude industry offered data, must be 

 addressed and directed to consider this important data. Only 

 then will the overall fishing community have any confidence in 

 NMFS data, scientific conclusions, or management measures. 



Standard Four provides that conservation and management 



